Machik Ascent Challenge Week, May 12-20 supports High School Education in Tibet

The Eastern Sierra Friends of Machik announces the Ascent Challenge Week, an opportunity for mountain athletes to connect with Tibet and support kids’ education there. The credo is, “Mountain People for Mountain People.”

Here’s the basics: You solicit pledges based on how much vertical gain you expect to hike, climb, bike, ski, stroll, or whatever under your own power during the week. Then you go out and do your stuff, and keep track of how much uphill you put in for the week. At the end of the week, on Sunday, May 20, everyone gets together at the Bishop CrossFit gym for a potluck to compare efforts. The North Face has generously donated prizes to go to the top fund raisers and the most remarkable ascent weeks. Results will be publicized, and 100% of donations will go directly to Machik’s high school campaign. Organizer Andy Selters says, “This is a great opportunity to take your climbs way beyond the summit.”

Machik (“One Mother”) started with a simple goal to build a village school with good teachers, but the school quickly became so successful that the provincial government is using it as a model for schools elsewhere in Tibet. Machik now has expanded into several campaigns to develop education, capacity building, and innovation on the Tibetan Plateau. Check them out at www.machik.org.

For pledge forms and more information, contact [email protected], or Andy Selters at 760/920-2904.